"We wish him all the best and look forward to working with him again," an ITV spokesman said.

Cowell added: "It's been amazing working with Michael - I don't need to wish him any luck with the tour because it's already gigantic!"

Pregnant Holden was asked on Twitter if she would also be leaving, but replied: "I am going nowhere."

McIntyre is quoted by The Sun as saying: "I absolutely loved being a judge but have been itching to get back on stage myself. I wish the show and production team every success."

A source added: "Michael has been weighing it up for a while as he does like the show and enjoyed being on the panel, but his first love is comedy and he wanted to embark on a tour and concentrate on that."